Revenue states that the standard Capital Gains Tax rate changed to 31% for most gains on disposals from 7 October 2026. The rate reduction does not change every asset regime, and it does not apply retrospectively to earlier disposals. Establish the disposal date and asset treatment before multiplying a gain by the headline rate.
When 31% applies—and when it does not
For most qualifying gains, the relevant standard rate is 31% from 7 October 2026. Earlier disposals keep the rate applicable at the time. Revenue separately lists development land at 33%, as well as other special rates and regimes. Fund investments, foreign products and venture-capital arrangements should not be assumed to follow an ordinary share-disposal calculation.
The legally relevant disposal date may not be the day the sale proceeds reach your bank account. Where timing or contract conditions are unclear, verify the appropriate date before choosing a rate. The rate table alone does not decide whether a particular asset or relief qualifies.
Work out the gain rather than taxing the sale price
Begin with proceeds or the required market value. Subtract the allowable acquisition cost, eligible enhancement expenditure and qualifying acquisition or disposal costs. Review the year’s gains and allowable losses, then apply eligible exemptions and reliefs. Gifts, inherited assets and historic acquisitions can require different valuation or relief treatment.
An individual’s annual personal exemption is €1,270. It is an exemption against eligible gains, not a deduction from the tax already calculated. The treatment of losses and reliefs matters; do not subtract an allowance repeatedly for each sale without checking the annual position.
A worked example at the new rate
Assume an individual makes an ordinary qualifying disposal after the rate change: proceeds of €25,000, an allowable acquisition cost of €14,000, and allowable transaction costs of €500. With no other gains, losses or reliefs, the chargeable gain is €10,500. Deducting the €1,270 personal exemption gives a taxable gain of €9,230.
At 31%, the estimated CGT is €9,230 × 0.31 = €2,861.30. At 33%, the same already-taxable gain would produce €3,045.90. The €184.60 difference illustrates the rate change only; it does not establish that a real transaction qualifies for the new rate or the exemption.
Payment and filing are separate tasks
Revenue distinguishes paying CGT from filing the return. Do not assume that filing a return pays the liability, or that a nil liability automatically removes the reporting obligation. Use Revenue’s current payment and filing instructions for the disposal year and period. Keep the acquisition records, valuations, costs, loss calculations and evidence of payments together.
Choose the appropriate calculator
Use the embedded CGT tool with the correct disposal date and supported asset treatment. It is not a universal calculator for every investment product. The separate investment-account comparison can help explore different regimes, but a comparison does not determine the legal treatment of your holding.
Review the result before acting
A calculator cannot establish entitlement to a specialist relief, settle a valuation dispute or verify all reporting duties. Check the original Revenue guidance and obtain qualified advice for unusual transactions, development land, foreign assets or mixed tax regimes. The displayed figures are estimates and not formal financial advice.